Healey's Climb

The headline on the latest statewide poll, this one from WJAR, is the still-tight race for governor. But the biggest news may be the tightening contest for the lieutenant governor's chair, with incumbent Elizabeth Roberts clinging to a 48 to 43 percent lead over Robert Healey, who has long campaigned to abolish the office.

The quixotic Healey says his campaign's motto is "now or never" and he may be right - the state's financial woes and a strong anti-incumbent sentiment offer a once-in-a-lifetime shot for Healey and raise the possibility of a shake-up in Rhode Island's constitutional order.

Roberts still has to be considered the frontrunner. But the party's get out the vote effort could be crucial here.